A tasteful dose of service

Helping children in transition will be at the forefront when the United Way of the Midlands Young Leaders Society holds The Tastiest Party in Town on Thursday.

The annual philanthropy and networking event is set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at 701 Whaley.

The event seeks to raise awareness of the Young Leaders Society as a philanthropic and networking organization for young Midlands professionals and to support the children’s after-school programs at St. Lawrence Place. The shelter helps homeless families transition to permanent housing.

The event will feature tastings from local restaurants and entertainment by the Chris Andrews Jazz Trio.

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“Our kickoff event will begin a new year of professional development and volunteer activities that benefit our community and our members,” said Adam Landy, Young Leaders Society chairman and an attorney at McNair Law Firm. “If you are looking for a way to give back, and to connect with like-minded people, this event is a great way to learn more about YLS.”

Young Leaders Society members have contributed more than $2 million to the community the past six years.

Thursday’s party is open to the public and all young professionals are invited to attend. Guests are encouraged to bring food items to be given to St. Lawrence Place.

Admission is $15 in advance, $25 at the door. Advance tickets are available at www.ylsmidlands.com.

For more information on Young Leaders Society or the Tastiest Party, contact Whitney Chisholm at (803) 733-5419.

Back to School bash

H.Y.P.E. (Helping Young People Evolve) will host its third annual Community Day and Back to School Bash at Bluff Road Park and Community Center in Columbia Saturday.

The free event, from noon-5 p.m., is designed to motivate students as they return to school. The afternoon will feature live music, guest speakers, community leaders, complimentary food and games.

Guest speakers will include Mike Glymph, president of the Young Democrats of South Carolina and Greater Columbia Community Relations council board member, and Kyle Greene, who operates a youth basketball training academy in Blythewood.

Guests also will receive school supplies.

The event is open to the public and no advance registraton is required. Bluff Road Park and Community Center is located at 148 Carswell Drive.

The nonprofit H.Y.P.E. Columbia was established to enhance the quality of life for Richland County youth.

For more information, call Jerome Goodwin at (803) 767-7111.

The ABC’s of backpacks

Operation Homefront of the Carolinas gave backpacks of school supplies to more than 200 military children at a Back-to-School Brigade event earlier this month at Shandon Baptist Church.

“We’re here to lend a hand to military families who deal not only with deployments and the other stresses of military life, but also the economic difficulties shared by all Americans,” said Darden Blow, program manager of Operation Homefront’s Carolinas Field Office. “Getting children ready to go back to school can be a costly venture, but these donated school supplies help ease the burden military families carry.”

The school supplies were donated by people from around Columbia and collected at local Dollar Tree stores as part of Operation Homefront’s nationwide Back-to-School Brigade program.

The national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers in a nationwide effort to provide emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.